Menstrual health of many Government school kids under threat as they do not have access to free natkins amid lockdown.
The ever increasing price of napkins is a concern for people who live under the poverty line. Most of the daily workers are jobless currently and they cannot afford to buy napkins right now.
Usually, the students would use free napkins that are available in the school. Domestic helps in schools also suffers the same fate.
The situation is same in all part of the country.
“We are running out of materials to make napkins at home,” says a kid.
“Our family is big and we need to feed them all. With no salary now, we cannot afford napkins”, says a mother.
According to a report by BBC, only 35 per cent of roughly 355 million menstruating women in India have access to sanitary napkins.
When the lockdown was announced, Sanitary Napkins were not considered as an essential item. This created confusion. Later, the Government had to clarify about the napkins.
Union minister Smriti Irani on March 29 tweeted, ‘Taking note of growing concern regarding availability of sanitary napkins, Home Secretary to Government of India has issued clarification to chief secretaries of all the states regarding sanitary pads being an essential commodity.’
Meanwhile, many NGOs and people are coming together to create awareness about menstrual hygiene as well as they are trying their best to provide napkins for the needy.
A collective called ‘Sustainable Menstruation Tamil Nadu’ is working hard towards providing education as well as they connect with the sponsors to provide free napkins for the needy.
However, without the help of the Government, it is going to be difficult for the people to keep providing free napkins. Hopefully, the Government takes necessary steps soon.
